"Rachael Lillis, Voice of Pokémon Characters, Dies at 55"

Rachael Lillis, the cherished voice actress known for her roles as Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon series, passed away at the age of 55 on August 10, 2024, after a valiant fight against breast cancer.

Tributes Pour In for Beloved Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis

Family, Fans, and Friends Mourn the Loss of Rachael Lillis

Rachael Lillis, the iconic voice behind beloved Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10, 2024, following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 55 years old.

Lillis' sister, Laurie Orr, announced the sad news on their GoFundMe page on Monday, August 12, stating, "With a heavy heart, I regret to inform you that Rachael has passed away. She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful."

Orr expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support and love from fans and friends, mentioning that Lillis was "moved to tears" by the messages on the GoFundMe page. Lillis cherished her interactions with fans at conventions and often shared heartwarming stories about those encounters, according to Orr.

"My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free," Orr added.

The GoFundMe campaign, which was set up to support Lillis during her battle with cancer, has raised over $100,000 from more than 2,700 donors. Orr shared that the remaining funds will be used to cover medical expenses, organize a memorial service, and support cancer-related causes in Lillis' memory.

Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum in the early seasons of the Pokémon anime and was a close friend of Lillis, paid tribute on Twitter(X), describing her as "an extraordinary talent" whose voice "shone... whether speaking or singing." Taylor added, "I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend. She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end."

Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, also expressed her condolences, noting that Lillis was deeply moved by the support she received. "She is out of pain now," Sands wrote. "A wonderful person gone way too soon."

Fans also took to social media to share their heartfelt tributes, remembering Lillis as a beloved voice actress who enriched their childhoods. Beyond her iconic roles in Pokémon, they fondly recalled her performances as Utena in 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' and Natalie in Ape Escape 2.

Born on July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis honed her vocal talents through opera training during her college years before embarking on a successful voice acting career. According to her IMDB page, she lent her remarkable voice to 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015. She also voiced Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film 'Detective Pikachu'.

A memorial to celebrate her life is being planned for a future date, as announced by Veronica Taylor.